A Test of Greatness—a God show and tell

We all know Charles Schultz, the creator of the beloved “Peanuts” cartoon characters—chief among, Charlie Brown, the baseball team captain. He is always about TEAM. He didn’t focus much about his greatness. He didn’t fret much that greatness was always one football kick thanks to Lucy or the perfect Christmas tree that was one ornament away thanks to Snoopy. It didn’t matter. The welfare of the gang did. Perhaps Charlie Brown represented Charles Schultz’s philosophy about greatness illustrated in two simple tests.

Here's the first quiz.

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.

2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.

3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America contest.

4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel.

5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.

6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? The facts are none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here's the second quiz. See how you do on this one.

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.

2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.

3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.

4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.

5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

6. Name half a dozen heroes whose stories have inspired you. Easier?

The central truth is this: The great people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. The great ones are the ones who care about your welfare—for that matter, everyone’s welfare—like Mordecai who represents God’s definitions in two simple questions: (1) Who seeks the welfare of all the people, not just some of the people, and (2) Who speaks for the welfare of all, not some, of the people.

We see these questions in Esther 10:3:

For Mordecai the Jew was second [only] to King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews and in favor with his many kinsmen, one who sought the good of his people and one who spoke for the welfare of his whole nation. Esther 10:3

Mordecai was a seeker of the welfare of all the people. So impactful was his leadership, he was considered great among his people, worthy to be compared to a king. He sought the deliverance of all the Jews from annihilation. Here’s the backdrop. Mordecai mentored his cousin Esther to win a beauty contest to become queen of the land. In doing so, he put her in a position of authority to thwart a plot by Hamen—the king’s assistant—to hang Mordecai who would not bow down to him. Esther interceded “for such a time like this (v. 4:14).” The plot was foiled. Thanks to Mordecai, not only his neck was saved. All the Jews in the land were saved and was authorized by the king’s edict to seek their freedom and security by any means necessary to fight any schemes to destroy them.

Mordecai was also a speaker of welfare of all the people. When he spoke up to Esther to use her position of power to go before the king, she spoke up despite facing the possibility of her personal danger: “if I die, I die (v1 6:).” She did speak up because Mordecai spoke.  The evil plan of Haman failed. He was hung on the same gallows he had prepared for Mordechai. He was promoted to the court of the king. His promotion was a promotion of the people. Seventy-five thousand enemies of the Jews were killed. A holiday was established—Purim—to commemorate the corporate victory, because Mordecai spoke up and all the people benefitted. Many foreigners became Jews as well. The scope of Mordecai’s impact is greater than you may have considered. Out of the Jew’s salvation came the tribe of Judah. Out of the Judah s came Jesus, savior of all men.

So when the question of greatness comes up, remember Charles Schultz’s philosophy seen in Charlie Brown’s “Team Welfare” spirit. But don’t forget the greatness of Mordecai who was a seeker and a speaker of the same.